The U.S. construction industry has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Hispanic workers over the last two decades. From 1990 to 2000, Hispanic workers in construction doubled, from 700,000 to 1.5 million. Those numbers doubled again in less than 10 years, from 1.5 million in 2000 to 3 million in 2007. Although those numbers have dropped due to the recession and slump in residential and commercial construction, Hispanics still make up approximately 30% of blue-collar workers on construction sites across America. Today, among Hispanics entering the U.S. workforce for the first time, one in three enters a job in construction. Yet Hispanic and foreign-born construction workers are more frequently killed on the job and are paid less than other workers.
In preparation for the conference, LOHP researchers interviewed union trainers and individuals regarded by their peers as leaders in developing best practices in engaging and training Hispanic construction workers. LOHP researchers created narratives of these trainers’ and organizers’ experiences, barriers they identified, and how they overcame them. These narratives informed the conference agenda and form much of the content of this report.
English PDF: https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/immigrant_workers_in_construction_cpwr-lohp_report.pdf
